One Man’S Life and Thoughts: In Good Times and Bad -Volume 5

By Charles T. Johnson

"One Mans Thoughts and Life in Good time and Bad' is a compilation of Charles Johnson life and situations that he saw
and lived that gave him a thought to write about. He takes a situation and coverts into a story poem with a moral ending.
Every poem has a description following the poem that explains why it was written and the Spiritual lesson that he got from
that situation. The book is not totally about him but describes how all things can have a message that can show each of
us how we can view our life and learn how we all can growSpiritually in our own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466938106

Charles T. Johnson

I grew up in the copper mines of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University at Tempe, Arizona. My degree is bachelor of science in electrical engineering. My major job was director of world marketing for the Quartz Watch Program for Motorola. I left the engineering field and went into the financial newsletter business. Due to the return of polio in the form of postpolio syndrome, I had to accept disability and retire. I did not have any experience writing poetry. Then one night our next-door neighbor’s son was killed in an accident. I lay in bed that night, and for the first time in my life, a poem came to me. I got up and went to my computer and, in twenty minutes, wrote “He’s My Son Too.” With this, I started to write for several years until I ran out of any new ideas. So I just stopped, and after several years, I was encouraged to publish some of the 1,600 poems that I have written. I have gone through many different problems that I have put into the poems I have written. I hope that these poems are enjoyed each of you, some basics in life that I had never recognized myself.

Book preview

Order this book online at www.trafford.com

or email [e-mail]

Most Trafford titles are also available at major online book retailers.

© Copyright 2012 Charles T. Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-3812-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-3811-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-3810-6 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012904840

Trafford rev. 05/11/2012

missing image file www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

phone: [phone] ♦ fax: [phone]

CONTENTS

CASEY

ARROGANCE

THE MANIPULATOR

GOOD LUCK, SON

SINCE YOU’VE GONE

POLITICS AND IMAGE—THE

MEDICATION FOR PAIN?

LIFE ALWAYS HAS A PURPOSE

GETTING THINGS FIXED

WHEN ALL WAR

IS FINALLY OVER

THE LOOK-ALIKE

WHOSE REPUTATION COUNTS?

CHIEF GOLDED HAND

TWO SIDES OF CAREING

SUNDAY MORNING OBSERVATIONS

DID YOU REMEMBER?

MY GRANDSON’S BIRTHDAY

ONCE UPON A TIME

EXPECTATIONS

SUCCESS

FAILURE

A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME

LIFE’S LAST FEELINGS

THE WRECK OF THE

EDMUND FITZGERALD

THE CALMING OF LIFE’S SEA

MORE

SHOULD A MASTER

CHANGE HIS STYLE?

THE SMALLEST ANGEL

THE FATHER’S HAND-OR-THE

FATHER’S HAND

KAREN

WHAT DO YOU WANT

FOR CHRISTMAS?

IT’S JUST THE LITTLE THINGS

THE TEST

All THINGS AREN’T

WHAT THEY SEEM

LIFE’S COMPANION

THE VALUE OF GOOD INTENTIONS

TIMES LIKE THESE

A RECIPE FOR LIFE

OUR PASTOR

LOST FEELINGS

IS THIS ALL?

A PAIN ABOVE ALL PAINS

THE WITNESS

GOD’S ANGEL

GOD, PICK ME A LOVE

THE AUTHOR

THE PLANNING BOARD

THE BARBECUE

WHEN OLDER WAS BETTER

THE QUIZ

AN EASTER DISAPPOINTMENT

REMEMBER ME WHEN—

BUT KNOW ME NOW!

IS THERE A LIMIT TO GIVING?

BAUBLES AND BANGLES

FROM A MINING TOWN

TO ETERNITY

WISDOM IN A BARBER SHOP

HOPE BY PATIENCE, TRUST,

AND BELIEF

GOD HAS THE FINAL SAY

WHY?

HOW MANY TIMES?

THE BALLERINA

ARE YOU REALLY FREE?

HOW MUCH DO I MISS THEE?

WHEN ROLES REVERSE

ANSWERED PRAYER

LORD, I NEED MORE TIME

A HOMELESS MAN

SHARE?—IT’S MINE!

THROW-A-WAYS

CATS

WHAT FACE TO WEAR?

STAND ON PRINCIPALS

THE PROOF OF EVOLUTION

ADVICE TO REMEMBER

ALONE

THE MORNING MIRACLE

WHEN THE ROLL

IS CALLED UP YONDER

THE MONUMENTS

GAITHER’S CONCERT

GOD’S LITTLE MUNCHKIN

IN DEEP APPRECIATION

REMEMBER WHEN?

IS THERE REALLY A GOD?

THE PIGEON

CATHY’S DECISION

WHEN ALL ELSE

FAILS—CHANGE

IT STILL RUNS GOOD

HE LOVED TOO MUCH?

THE HUMMINGBIRD

THE PLEA

BURDENS AND EXCEPTIONS

TRUE LOVE NEVER DIES

CATHY’S DECISION

CHUCK’S ADMISSION

KINDNESS OR CODEPENDENCY

IS GOD REAL OR

A MYTH OF HISTORY

KNOW YOUR TEACHER

I AM WILLING

THE PRICE OF ETERNAL LIFE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

WHAT CONSTITUTES

A FRIEND?

A PILL CALLED LOVE

THERE’S MUCH TO LEARN

IN A MARRIAGE

WHEN FRIENDS REALLY COUNT

GOD’S GIFT OF PAIN

FEELINGS ARE

NOT ALWAYS A CHOICE

HIGH NOON

TIMES CHANGE

LIFE’S GOALS

A CHOICE LIKE NO OTHER

LOVE IS PATIENT

LORD, PLEASE GIVE ME

WHAT I’VE REQUESTED

FOR SERVICE RENDERED

OLD SHOES AND PARENTS

WHEN THERE ARE

NO TOMORROWS

IF THERE WERE ONLY TIME

I LOVE ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS

LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT

AND APPRECIATION

ALTHOUGH JUST A KID,

HE SIGNED

IF I COULD ONLY LIVE

LIFE AS A DOG

IF I COULD ONLY LIVE

LIFE AS A DOG

THE POWER OF YOUR TONGUE

LORD, HEAL MY BODY

AND SOUL

TIME TO CHANGE

THE REJECTED GIFT

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED

I’M RICH! NOW WHAT?

JUST WHERE IS HELL?

A REDNECK’S LETTER

HOW DO I LOVE YOU?

GETTING TO HEAVEN

A PRAYER FOR THE

END OF TIMES

THE SEED OF KINDNESS

TOO MANY UNSAID WORDS

TO BE ALONE

KNOW THAT HE’S WATCHING

GOD, FORGIVE ME AS I

DON’T LOOK TOO GOOD

SENSITITIVY—UNCARING—

OR JUST—STUPIDITY

JUST ONCE A YEAR

LIVES DEVOID OF LOVE

THE AUCTION

GOD’S WORK OF ART

THE USHER

THE EYES TELL THE STORY

IF YOU LOVED ME

I DON’T LOVE YOU

’TWAS THE NIGHT

BEFORE CHRISTMAS

WHY DON’T YOU TEACH?

WHEN ASSISTANCE

BECOMES A RESENTMENT

CALL 911

THAT’S LIFE

HE KNOWS YOUR FEELINGS

CREATURES BIG AND SMALL

9-1-1

NAMES OF FEAR

YOUR WORD

THE PERFECT MEAL

CHOOSE A PATH

UNKNOWN LOVE

BROKEN VOWS

HURT GOD TOO

MR. PRESIDENT

MY ANGEL LENORE

A PASSING GRADE

WHAT IS LOVE?

IF THE CROSS FITS

WILL THERE BE ANY

GOLF IN HEAVEN?

WHO IS HE?

WHEN LOVE ENDS

OLD AGE GUARANTEES

NO ROOM FOR YOU

WHEN TWO FRIENDS PART

GOALS

CASEY

It was a hot and humid summer day, I had been home all alone,

When I was startled quite suddenly by the ringing of the phone.

It was a voice I rarely heard, small and bright and filled with glee,

Hello, Grandpa, it’s Briana, I have something that you should see.

What is it I ask so she could tell what had made her so worked up,

Well, Grandpa, you will never guess, we have a newborn little pup.

Can Twinky come and play with her? I think that they’d have fun,

Well, Briana, we’d better wait, as Twinky thinks she’s number one.

Are you going to come and see her, of course I will—perhaps today,

But I’ll need someone to bring me, because you live so far away.

And then as if by fate there came, one more ringing of the phone,

It was Cathy who said I’ll pick you up, and take you to our home.

And when we arrived there on the floor was Casey and the kids,

Who watched the children’s every move, and everything they did.

But the children played both in and out, and sadly Casey cried,

Because she expected them to play, and to stay with her inside.

But Casey quickly tired out, and chose to lie still upon the floor,

She was done with play for this day, and didn’t care for anymore.

So we all sat down for dinner, it was the first time in many years,

Yet a family had been joined together, by a puppy with floppy ears.

Charles T. Johnson

8/3/00

Casey was written to document two very important things that happened yesterday. One, Kelli and her family got a new Labrador mix puppy yesterday. And Cathy called me and offered to drive me over to see their house and the dog and then bring me home. I thoroughly enjoyed being with Cathy as well as Kelli and her family. I just felt comfortable sitting near Cathy and talking with her about her job and how she is being mistreated and taken advantage of by her boss, Chris Moshure. I hope and pray that she will just up and quit the job and find something else closer to home, and where she will be respected for what she offers and contributes. She is still strong willed and sometimes bullheaded, but I love her for that and always have.

I loaned Kelli my car for a few days or weeks, as my pain level is such that I don’t feel up to driving. My neck, shoulder, arm, and hand hurt so bad that I can’t do much with them; and I can’t focus my mind on anything else but how bad it hurts. The doctors are not doing anything for controlling the pain, even though they claim that they are doing the best that they can. It still seems that they are protecting their license and office by minimizing the amount of narcotics that they prescribe. When I’m in this condition, there is nothing short of a morphine drip that will help ease the edge but not relieve the pain totally. It contributes immeasurably toward my attitude and my behaviors to others, and adds substantially to my depression. But for all my pain and discomfort, the joy of all of us being together meant more to me than anything that has happened in a long time. I still love Cathy and will die with my commitment to her unbroken. In time I pray that she too will see her part in God’s plan and come home to me. It was a good day for me to see a small lovable dog.

ARROGANCE

Now I’d often heard my father say, if your not careful that will break,

But I know what I am doing, Dad, just one more twist is what it’ll take.

Now if you force it you’ll be sorry, and you may not get another chance,

But I twisted it just one more turn, out of spite and youthful arrogance.

In school I wanted explanations, that my teachers would not discuss,

Just learn what’s there before you, and we’ll avoid all unnecessary fuss.

But there are options that I’ve studied, which may help me to advance,

Just learn the lesson there before you, he said, with a teacher’s arrogance.

Your license, please, the policeman said, but what’s the problem, I replied,

You’ll know once I see your license, now just hand it over and comply.

Well it seems OK, but watch it, there may be another time or circumstance,

Without another word, he walked away, with that policeman’s arrogance.

You say you’re sick, the doctor said, what’s the problem that’s ailing you?

Well, Doctor, I seem to hurt all over, I pray there’s something you can do.

Doc, it’s just unbearable, sure he said, with his most compassionate glance,

Take this and call me in a month, he smugly said, with a doctor’s arrogance.

Now it seems that those with knowledge, must express their attitude as well,

And it appears they’re overconfident, but I was unsure and could not tell.

But I felt uneasy and disconcerted, and I was frustrated with their stance,

For what they believed was their compassion, I saw as uncaring arrogance.

So I took my troubles and confusion, to a minister I have known for years,

And I shared with him my feelings, hoping that he could make things clear.

He said perhaps these men of knowledge, are not personally that advanced,

And they have yet to claim his teaching, and still cling to human arrogance.

Charles T. Johnson

8/4/00

Arrogance was written after I had just spent five days in St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Barrows Neurological Institute for extensive testing of my neck, heart, and brain. While there is good news that there is no-thing that may require surgery at this time on my neck and possibly even my heart, the tests themselves created an aggravation of an old injury in my neck and shoulder that is now severely painful and is going without treatment due to the involved doctors’ attitude of not accepting whose primary responsibility it is to care for me. Each one, in his own arrogant way, passes the treatment responsibility on the other. As a result, I am not receiving any treatment; and I have to behave like a drug addict to get pain medications that unfortunately are not working. Today is August 4, and I have not had any relief from severe (ten rating) pain since July 17. The pain is so severe that I cannot find a comfortable way to sit, stand, or lay, or a dosage of Percocet to bring temporary relief.

Neither of the doctors involved can see me until August 10, 2000, or August 16, 2000. In the meantime, I hurt beyond description; and I am running out of medication that can provide some minimal but temporary relief.

Since I became a Christian in 1982, I have matured and learned to have some patience in these things. However, not raising my voice and trying to demand some attention only leaves me to suffer needlessly. I’ve received little or no care from those around me, and certainly no understanding as to the degree of pain that I endure. My prayer is that God hears my cry and knows my pain and grants me some relief.

THE MANIPULATOR

This letter is one I wrote for you, to review my life, that I’ve been through,

I know I have been a disappointment, in all things you’ve seen me do.

I studied you in Sunday school, each and every week I went to church,

But I must confess I had more fun, chasing girls in their Sunday skirts.

My parents trusted that I’d be exposed, to every holy book that was there,

I was to learn to read them thoroughly, and to quote them each with flair.

But my only knowledge of the Bible was that the book of Genesis was first,

Which only proved that my understanding lacked much and was the worst.

As I aged and by some strange luck, I met girls who truly knew the word,

I endeared myself to these lovelies, and pretended that now I truly heard.

Of course I dated them, and let them know, that church was first with me,

But it was just a ploy to have my way, and maybe get a hand upon a knee.

And so for years I found this was the way, to get the ones I wanted most,

A kind word and a sexy smile, and of course a wink for the Holy Ghost.

But every time I was exposed, and I would be cast aside with their scorn,

For it never took them more than a day, to learn I hadn’t yet been reborn.

My life was now less than stable, maidens would come and they would go,

And the ones I wanted most to stay, would say it’s Christ you need to know.

So I laid bare my conniving heart, in the hopes that a miracle would occur,

And I ask that Jesus take my life, and provide me a maiden true and pure.

A flash of lightning struck the earth, not ten or twenty steps from my feet,

And as the smoke and fire dissolved, there stood an angel young and sweet.

Now, I couldn’t speak or say a word, but the angel spoke softly and so true,

You have accepted Christ as Lord, and your salvation’s his gift for you.

I didn’t have any answers, but as for questions I had more than just a few,

Why would he give me such a gift, for simply saying that I believe in you.

A gift he gives is his choice alone, and one way you can serve his glory,

Is to tell the truth and spread his word, and tell all your salvation’s story.

Charles T. Johnson

8/5/00

The Manipulator is about how a young man manipulates those around him to get his way. But he finds out that those who truly believe will find him to be deceptive and walk away from him. But because their commitment is true and firm, he will see in them some-thing that they have that he needs. So he asks for salvation; and upon receiving it, he now has a responsibility to use his story to glorify God.

GOOD LUCK, SON

Well, now, son, you made it, that was about all he had to say,

You’ve graduated and finished, now you’d best be on your way,

You’re